Cool movie alert: 'Stories We Tell'

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Moviegoers first became aware of Sarah Polley as a young actress, when she delivered memorable performances in The Sweet Hereafter (1997), Go (1999) and Dawn of the Dead (2004). (As a kid she even played Ramona Quimby in a TV series based on the popular books.)

Over the last few years, Polley has gained a reputation as a talented writer and director with critically acclaimed Away From Her, which nabbed her an Oscar nod, and Take This Waltz.

With her latest effort, Polley veers from scripted fare into documentary. Stories We Tell includes interviews with Polley's own family as she tries to understand her late mother and the secrets she kept. (I won't completely give it away, but a big one involves Polley's father.) As you can see in the trailer, the result comes across as mysterious, exciting and melancholy:

If you're unfamiliar with Polley's work, I encourage you to check it out. I was a big fan of Take This Waltz, which is now available on Netflix Instant.

Stories We Tell will screen at New York's Museum of Modern Art in March. It opens nationwide May 17.